Indian, Lankan fishermen bodies discuss trans-border fishing options

CHENNAI - Representatives of fisherman’s associations from India and Sri Lanka are currently engaged in a dialogue from August 20 to 22 here, and, issues such as trans-border fishing and the attacks on fishermen are being discussed.

Efforts are on to suggest practical solutions that could lead to peaceful co-existence in the Palk Bay.

Briefing reporters about the meeting, being held at the St Thomas international retreat centre, K. Sooryakumar, the leader of the Sri Lankan delegation, was quoted by expressbuzz.com, as saying: “The depletion of the fish resources was affecting the livelihood of the Sri Lankan fishermen in the northern province.”

“The Sri Lankan fishermen have raised their voices against the killing of innocent fishermen by the navy. Sri Lanka has demarcated maritime boundary. Whenever there are violations, it should be dealt with according to the law. It is for the governments of both the countries to discuss the issue and settle it,” he added.

Vivekanandan, advisor to the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies, (SIFFS), said the three-day event is a serious attempt to understand problems affecting fishermen on both sides of the Palk Straits. and to propose measures that could contribute to the lessening of the current problems.

The Alliance for release of innocent fishermen (ARIF), a wing of SIFFS, organised the visit of the team of 24 Sri Lankan members which consisted of fishermen from the northern province of Sri Lanka, NGO representatives, fisheries department officials and media representatives. They will hold dialogue with Tamil Nadu fishermen from Ramnad, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam.

The meeting is not ‘a government programme’ but the governments of both countries and the State government have been informed about it. (ANI)